Carmine
Sitting inside someone else’s office is jarring.Normally, I hold meetings in my own home and space.It gives me the upper hand and control of the environment.But since I’ve handed over most of the control to my son-in-law, Malice, he now carries out most of the day-to-day operations.
For more than sixty years, my family has been the biggest player in underground lending and money laundering the state has ever seen.When I took the reins after my father earned himself an early grave over twenty years ago, the only person I ever trusted was my best friend, Jermaine Sinclair, which is why he’s with me today.
It’s a power play on Vincent Malone’s part.Jer and I know it; Vince, not so much.He’s young and trying to make moves in the shadows that won’t work well for him.He’s still learning his place in the pecking order.
“I’m going to kick this kid's ass myself,” Jermaine bitches next to me.We’ve been sitting here for thirty minutes now with a guard watching us.
“Yeah, I’m about done now.”Standing up, I button my suit jacket and move to leave when the guard steps in front of the door.Sharing a look with Jer, we burst out laughing, our cold ruthlessness prevalent.“I don’t think so, boy.Move or suffer.”
He looks to be around the same age as my Aura, and from the way his eyes keep flickering around the room, he’s scared.Sweat beads on his forehead as we stalk closer, and I slide a hand inside my jacket.
“Move, son, this ain’t that big a deal,” Jer tries to reason with him.
We hear the gulp as he swallows but holds his ground.“I have my orders, sir.”
“Are they to die?”I query.His Adam's apple bobs up and down nervously.“Get out of my way, boy.”My hand eases from my jacket, a small pistol resting in my palm, finger on the trigger.
He goes rigid before reluctantly stepping to the side, muttering under his breath.Jermaine opens the door.I pause before leaving, offering some sage advice.“If you break that easily, boy, find a new career path.This isn’t the life for you.”I’ve seen harder and smaller men than him break.It takes a certain kind of mind to live in the dark.
As we step into the hallway of Vincent’s building, he comes our way along with a familiar face.Nico Moretti.His family runs some of the most profitable brothels on the East Coast.He’s also been in love with my oldest daughter, CJ, for years.He doesn’t think anyone knows, but the fool has no clue.
“Carmine.”He frowns, those dark eyes of his penetrating and confused as he looks to Vincent.“Didn’t realize you’d be here today.”He reaches out for a firm handshake.I’ve always had a good relationship with the younger man, but that may end depending on why he’s here with Vincent.
“Yeah, well, Nico, our business here is finished.We’re on our way out and won’t be back.”
Vincent panics and titters out a pathetic wheezing laugh.“Now, now, Carmine–”
“Mr.Cavanaugh,” Jermaine snaps out.Vincent winces, and it’s then that I notice his blown pupils; he’s high as a kite.
“Don’t call me again, Vincent.I was bored, so I entertained this meeting; however, today you’ve shown me how juvenile you are and how unprepared you are to do anything with the power your family has falsely given you.”I glare at Nico, sincerely hoping he gets the hint as Jer and I walk to the elevators, taking one down to the main lobby.
“That was interesting,” my friend comments as we step onto the sidewalk in the middle of Manhattan.
“It will be if Nico takes the hint and beats that coward’s ass.”Ten years ago, I’d have probably done it myself.I’m a little more controlled now.
“I’d pay to see that,” Jer chuckles as we walk down the busy street.It’s one of the things I love most about Manhattan.It’s always bustling, nothing is ever the same, and life can be unpredictable here.
Given our location, I ask, “Should we stop by and see our grandson?”Malice and Odette moved into a penthouse not too far from here, wanting to subject the boy to the eclectic culture.
Finnigan doesn’t give a rat’s ass about any of that; he’s two, but my daughter is happy with a man whom I couldn’t have chosen to be better suited for her.
“That sounds like a grand plan.I’ll give them a call to see if they’re home.”
After a few minutes with no answer, we decide to go for lunch instead.We know Malice and Odette well enough to know if there’s no answer, they aren’t ready for company, or they’ve taken Finn out on an adventure.
After lunch, we part ways.Jermaine plans to visit his oldest son, Holy, and wife, Della, while I keep my intentions secret because he’ll just give me shit if he finds out.
Noa has been perpetually on my mind since our night together.I dream about her every time I close my eyes, and when I lie in bed at night, I swear I catch whiffs of her unique sweet-tart scent, despite my bedding having been washed multiple times since then.
In the five or so months that have passed, I’ve yet to check in on her.A coward is what I am because if that broken condom has produced a pregnancy, my hand would be forced to step into her life.
Make no mistake, the desire to have Noa as mine is the strongest I’ve ever felt.I could see myself growing old with her, but my concern for her welfare remains the same.Add an infant into the mix, and I don’t know if I’d survive something ever happening to either of them.
I check the time and realize she’s finished school for the day and should be home by now, maybe making herself dinner.After calling my driver and giving him her address, we arrive just as the sun begins its slow descent.The hues of blue sky transitioning into warmer tones of orange, red, and yellow, with touches of pink and purple, have always managed to calm me.
“Sir, we’re here.”Parking down the block as instructed, I get out of the vehicle, stroll across the street, and down a few paces to see if I can catch a glimpse of her.Her apartment faces the street, so it’s possible she might wander into my vision.
